Public Media Deserves Federal Support

Once again public media is at risk. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a budget for FY11 that eliminates funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The Senate takes up the issue this week, and I am optimistic that upon further consideration, our Senators will see the value in our collective public service and restore our funding.

Act Now To Protect The Programming You Love

Congress may eliminate funding for KPBS and the programming you love. Tell Congress to Support Funding for Public Broadcasting! Please take action today to send a message to Washington that public broadcasting matters to you, and to the other 170 million Americans that use it every month! Sign up at 170MillionAmericans.org to make your voice heard.

On a local level, federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting accounts for only about 12 percent of KPBS’ budget. We use these funds to support the valuable service we provide to the San Diego and Imperial Counties – and that is to offer thoughtful news and information as well as quality educational programming for all ages. On average, more than 1.2 million people in San Diego and Imperial County use KPBS – from KPBS-TV to 89.5 FM or KPBS.org and beyond. We just celebrated 50 years in the local community and our past success is paving the way for our future.

But the positive impact of federal funding for public broadcasting goes well beyond our audiences in Southern California.

Each month, 170 million Americans turn to a network of 368 public television stations, 934 public radio stations and hundreds of public media online services for non-partisan news, cultural programming and educational programs. All of America’s public broadcasters must meet the high standards of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting by working with each other and hundreds of national and local producers, as well as community partners to inform, inspire and entertain.

Despite these tremendous benefits and the support it enjoys from the vast majority of Americans, public broadcasting faces a rising tide of opposition from a vocal, motivated minority determined to slash all federal support for the industry.

It’s time for 170,000,000 Americans to say, “No!” to those efforts and, “Yes!” to protecting our unique public broadcasting assets.

To make those voices heard, America’s public television and radio stations have come together to launch an unprecedented project – “170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting” – to create a network of local rallying points for members, listeners, viewers and others who value public media as a source of non-partisan news, local cultural programming and non-commercial educational programs. KPBS is proud to be a part of that effort.

And, now, we’re asking you to join as well.

The heart of the project is a web site – 170MillionAmericans.org – that gives supporters of public media a way to register their support and to put that support into action. Please check out the site and lend your name to this important effort. It takes just a few seconds of your time, a few clicks at the keyboard, and three pieces of information – your name, email address and ZIP code. The impact of your participation will be felt all year long as we stand up for America’s public broadcasters.

This is an exciting project. I look forward to updating you on its progress and celebrating a positive outcome together.